by S. Rotan Hale
A group of disgruntled employees and concerned citizens gathered Thursday, Sept. 24 outside the parking lot of Northwest Child Development Center (NWCDC) on Melrose Ave. At the heart of their grievance was the latest developments involving the center’s board of directors, their plans to close the facility and the recent firing of newly hired executive director Jacqueline Wiggins.
During the protest a heated display erupted as Wiggins proceeded to vehemently expressed her disapproval of the board’s operations. Surrounding her was a group of about 50 supporters some of which carried signs asking for the current board to step down.
The center released a statement Sept. 3 announcing that it would “close its doors Sept. 11 due to funding cuts. Wiggins said that during a meeting Sept. 18 at Loudon Ave. Christian Church, a group of city leaders revealed that funding was available to the center on the condition that the board step down. “The reason why the funding has been withheld is because they (benefactors) had found gross mismanagement and negligence regarding the organization’s operations,” she said.
Wiggins, is a New Jersey native who has been in the area since early June and was hired in July. She said she is the center’s 7th executive director to be fired in 6 years. “That alone should have been a red flag to this community,” she said.
As Wiggins spoke she was occasionally interrupted by one school bus and several confused parents bringing other children–all were unaware of the situation except for a sign on the center’s door that read “Closed due to no staff…”
During her emotional plea Wiggins informed the crowd that through fundraising efforts “over $8,000 had been raised to save the center in less than 9 hours,” and added, “not a dime went to paying me… this is not my center… this is your center, I just came to run it …now it’s up to you (community members) to fight for what is right!”
Among the main points of her contention were mis-managing of funds and the “board’s inability to operate in accordance with standard by-laws. Wiggins also zeroed in on term limits. “You’ve got members that have been on this board for 15 to 17 years… and you can’t get rid of them. How is this possible when the place is being run under such deplorable conditions?” Empowering the parents who stood in awe as she outlined her laundry list of malfeasance against the board, she stated with confidence, “My knowledge matched with your power, can’t be beaten!”
Through her passionate display her words continued to empower those who stood in awe as she outlined her laundry list of malfeasance against the board and said with confidence, “My knowledge matched with your power, can’t be beaten!”
Reportedly Nina Waweru, a parent whose children used to attend the center, had developed a petition with over 500 signatures asking the board to step down to clear the way for the proposed allocated funding.
One conscientious supporter on the scene, Levita Washington, who is a member of All Colors of Essence women’s motorcycle club, said Wiggins contacted her and Jesse Smith of Nubian Crusers motorcycle club to inform them of the troubled day care center and her termination as director. The clubs have been major supporters of the center assisting in many of its endeavors over the years including several vigorous fundraising efforts held due to the present financial crisis.
Also attending were Councilwoman Anita Price and Rev. Amy Ziglar, pastor, Mount Zion UMC who are members of an independent task force formed to address the NWCDC situation.
“We as concerned citizens are disappointed at the firing of Mrs. Wiggins and the troubling events surrounding Northwest Child Development Center that have adversely impacted our community,” said Councilwoman Price speaking on behalf of the group.
“We stand ready to assist in ensuring a harmonious and peaceful solution that will be most beneficial to all the residents of our community,” added Rev. Ziglar, both of whom were among the few allowed to enter the closed facility.
At one point Councilwoman Price brought some relief to the situation announcing several local organizations and schools that were “standing ready, willing and able to offer emergency care” to any parents inconvenienced by the unfortunate turn of events.
On Friday, Wiggins was by joined members of Community Outreach and Revitalization Organization, (CORO) who held a press conference outside the parking lot that was guarded by Roanoke City Police.
Through a prepared statement that leveled various accusations and demands at the board, community activist Sharrieff Perdue, president and founder of the group read aloud the names of each board member and demanded they collectively step down.
“We take our jobs seriously, We take leadership seriously and once again our children and our community are our #1 priority and you will step down,” she firmly stated.
Various news sources have attempted to contact members of the board for comment, all to no avail.
